ICPC vows to move against corrupt lawmakers

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on Tuesday vowed to move against corrupt state Houses of Assembly members.
The ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Aliyu, stated at the opening of a three-day capacity-building workshop for Jigawa State legislators.
Aliyu, who expressed concern over the level of corruption in the country, stressed the need for the legislators to live above board and be seen to do so in all their public and private functions.
The chairman reaffirmed the commission’s readiness to partner with the state Assemblies to fight corruption.
He said the ICPC would continue to carry out its three-pronged mandate of enforcement, prevention, public education, and mass mobilisation within the confines of the law.
He said: “We are ready to partner with the state legislature to advance the fight against corruption as we have done and are still doing with other arms and tiers of government.
“However, we will succeed in wielding the big stick when the occasion demands that we do so.’’
He pointed out that the relevance of the legislature in democracy cannot be over-emphasised.
“The oversight function is critical in ensuring that the legislature’s intent in making laws that will improve the living standard of the poor is reflected in the performance of the executive functions.
“As important as its role in government is, the state legislature must endeavour to conduct its oversight functions within the ambit of the law that established the House of Assembly.
“Legislators should live above board and should be seen to do so in all their public and private functions.’’
The ICPC chief said the interest and unity of the country as demonstrated by President Bola Tinubu’s administration should override the personal and collective interests of members of the state Assemblies.
“The principle of separation of powers must be respected and observed; encroaching on the functions of the executive and judiciary undermines democracy and good governance.
“Additionally, the legislature is expected to detect waste, inefficiency, ineffectiveness, corruption, and mismanagement of public resources.
“However, these functions can only be effectively discharged by the legislative arm of government if it embraces transparency and accountability in its operations; this is why this workshop is so important,” he stated.
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